Good Grades Mean Great Seats at a 2017 Keys Game

FREDERICK, MD -Students who get good grades can look forward to an exciting treat this season. The Frederick Keys are launching the Report Card Program, sponsored by Miss Utility. During the month of April, K-12 students who bring in a report card showing an “A” or a letter grade improvement will receive two FREE tickets to a Keys game.

“We are always excited to award students for their academic achievements,” said Keys Assistant General Manager for Marketing, Bridget McCabe. “This incentive will encourage youngsters of all ages to hit the books and be the best they can be in the classroom.”

Students will have 14 games to choose from, while an entire list of redeemable dates is available here. To participate, youth need to bring their report card to the Nymeo Field box office on the day of the game they wish to attend. Youngsters can then choose any seat, based on availability. There is a limit of two tickets per report card, per transaction. This offer is not valid online or over the phone.

Some of the days students can choose from are Opening Day (April 6), Kids Takeover Day (April 8), Daniel Tiger appearance (April 12), Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway (April 21), Meet the Team (April 23), Mighty Ducks Night (April 28), Star Wars Day (April 29) and the Candy Drop/Halfway to Halloween Day (April 30).

The 2017 season begins on Thursday, April 6 against the Carolina Mudcats at Nymeo Field. A full promotional schedule can be found here. Single game tickets go on sale on Friday, March 31, while ticket plans are currently available. Any fan who purchases or renews a ticket plan can choose between a Jonathan Schoop bobblehead or a Dylan Bundy gnome. For ticket information fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Southpaw Asks Kids to “Hit the Books”

Watch Video of Reading Program

Southpaw 2.0 visited Big Island Elementary School Monday afternoon as part of the Hillcats “Hit the Books” Reading Program. The appearance marked Southpaw’s second public outing since he was introduced as the team’s new primary mascot January 9. Southpaw 2.0 made his public debut last week when he kicked off the “Hit the Books” Reading Program at Bass Elementary in Lynchburg.

Southpaw has already committed to visiting 31 schools over the next three months after traveling to 21 last year, and more schools continue to sign up on a regular basis. The bright-green, furry mascot will travel as far as 50 minutes away from Lynchburg City Stadium during his “Hit the Books” crusades.

“One of our organizational goals this offseason was to increase our community outreach in a number of areas,” said Hillcats President Chris Jones. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in our community outreach, beginning with our partnership with the Lynchburg Humane Society to kick off the year. Now we are expanding our support for local youth in the area, including a larger number of partnerships with little league teams as well as a greater number of schools participating in our reading program.”

In addition to increasing the number of participating schools, the Hillcats also worked with Lynchburg City Schools to write a new book that emphasizes the core values of Respect, Integrity, Learning and Teamwork. In “Southpaw Goes to School,” Southpaw practices each of the four values to “hit a home run.” Students learn about these four upstanding principles and how to apply them in life by following along as a Hillcats front office member reads the book and Southpaw acts it out on stage.

After learning about the importance of reading from Southpaw and the Hillcats staff, students have a chance to attend a Hillcats game by reading four books on their own. Once they do that, they receive two free General Admission tickets to one of five select Hillcats home games in April and May. The possible dates students can choose include a Fireworks Night and a fan giveaway night.

Season tickets and book ticket packages are on sale now by purchasing online or calling 434-528-1144. Individual game tickets, which include $6 General Admission, will go on sale soon. The Hillcats begin the 2017 season at home in a rematch of the 2016 Mills Cup Championship Series. Lynchburg will host the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Thursday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. The Hillcats have made the playoffs a franchise-record five straight seasons. Schools interested in hosting Southpaw and the Hillcats staff to help students “Hit the Books” can contact Max Rettig at mrettig@lynchburg-hillcats.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Hillcats Partner With Lynchburg Humane Society

As part of the organization’s continued commitment to giving back to the community, the Lynchburg Hillcats proudly announced a new partnership for 2017 with the Lynchburg Humane Society Wednesday morning.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the Lynchburg Humane Society this upcoming season and beyond,” said Hillcats President Chris Jones. “This is a perfect way to start off 2017. One of my top priorities from day one has been strengthening the Hillcats presence in Lynchburg in terms of giving back to the community and supporting worthwhile causes. We laid a solid foundation toward meeting that objective last year. That put us in a position this season where we can create strong partnerships with other tremendous organizations, such as this one with the Lynchburg Humane Society.”

To initiate the new alliance, the Lynchburg Hillcats are sponsoring the adoption banner in the month of January. The Lynchburg Humane Society provides care and nurture for animals while providing a safe environment until they are adopted and taken home by a new owner. The building maintains regular hours every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, at its new location on Old Graves Mill Road. The Lynchburg Humane Society witnessed 3,254 adoptions last year.

“We are excited about all the opportunities to work with the Lynchburg Hillcats,” said Makena Yarbrough, Executive Director of the Lynchburg Humane Society. “This will not only provide exposure for adoptable pets and bring awareness to our organization, but it is also a great way to celebrate the bond between pets and family by going to the ballfield.”

Hillcats players and staff will be volunteering regularly at the Lynchburg Humane Society as part of the new relationship. Furthermore, the Hillcats and Lynchburg Humane Society will join in several promotions throughout the season, including a new Hillcats fixture at the ballpark known as “Meow Mondays.” In addition to other Monday-specific promotions that will spotlight the Lynchburg Humane Society, fans will be able to donate pet food for discounted admission at all Monday home games.

Along with the partnership, City Stadium will become a dog-friendly ballpark throughout the 2017 season, meaning Hillcats fans can bring their canines to all home games.

“As far as I know, we will be the first 100-percent dog-friendly ballpark for an entire season,” said Jones. “Virtually every team holds a ‘Bark in the Park’ Day at this point, and they are extremely popular with fans. In past years, the Hillcats have hosted more than one of these in the same season, which caused us as a staff to ask why we couldn’t do it more. Expanding ‘Bark in the Park’ to every home game seemed like a fun way to help grow awareness and signify this partnership with the Lynchburg Humane Society.”

The Hillcats are also working on logistics for a one-miler dog walk that will take place during the regular season to raise awareness for the Lynchburg Humane Society. Details for that event and many other components involving the partnership will be announced as they draw closer throughout the year. However, the first order of business between the Hillcats and Lynchburg Humane Society will be finalizing the search for Southpaw’s replacement next Monday.

“Anyone who has been following our social media accounts the past two months is aware that Southpaw is retiring after 22 amazing seasons as the Hillcats mascot,” said Jones. “Next Monday, Southpaw’s retirement becomes effective. I don’t want to reveal too much, but the Lynchburg Humane Society will play an integral part in the mascot transition, so I hope fans will check back Monday to see what happens. Again, we’re looking forward to a fun and beneficial relationship with the Lynchburg Humane Society.”

Season tickets and book ticket packages for 2017 are on sale now. Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 6, when the Hillcats begin at home against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in a rematch of the 2016 Mills Cup Championship.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dash enjoy record-setting Charity Call-A-Thon

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Nov. 30, 2016) – At Tuesday’s Charity Call-A-Thon, the Dash raised more than $4,000 in a two-hour period, easily the most successful Call-A-Thon in team history! Proceeds from this event will go to the Dash’s 2016 Charity Partner, Veterans Helping Veterans Heal (VHVH).

Thanks to this incredible response, we are pushing our Call-A-Thon sales through the end of the week! Contributions for VHVH have come through monetary donations and commemorative brick purchases. These bricks, which can be personalized with a special message, will be installed outside the main gates before the Dash’s 2017 home opener.

From now through Friday, the Dash are offering special pricing for these bricks. The first brick is just $125, and each additional brick is only $75 each. We will also continue to accept monetary donations, and you can support a veteran for a day with a $10 donation, a week with a $50 donation or a month with a $300 donation. Fans can contribute by calling (336) 714-6880.

Full details on the Commemorative Brick Program are available here.

Proceeds for the 2016 Commemorative Brick program will go to Veterans Helping Veterans Heal, a local non-profit that restores home, health and spirit to homeless veterans and transitions them from consumers of services to contributors of our community. More information about this great organization is available at vhvh.org.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Blue Rocks Announce 2016 Holiday Card Contest Winner

Wilmington, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks are excited to announce the winner of the 15th Annual Holiday Card Contest. Thousands of entries were received, but unfortunately, there could be just one winner. After a tough decision process, Rocky Bluewinkle, Mr. Celery and the rest of the Holiday Card Contest Committee decided that the overall winner was Vasiliki Gouvias, a 4th Grader from Loomis Elementary School in Broomall, PA. Her artwork will be featured on the cover of the Wilmington Blue Rocks Holiday Card. Vasiliki will be rewarded with a team-autographed baseball, a ceremonial first pitch and 10 tickets to a 2017 Blue Rocks game.

The Blue Rocks also selected honorable mention recipients, whose artwork will be displayed on the back of the Holiday Card. The art teachers of the winner and honorable mention designers will be contacted by a Blue Rocks representative in the next week. Those garnering honorable mentions honors are:

Dante Fortebuono
Kindergarten
St. Pius X School
Broomall, PA

Kaitlyn Aleardi
1st Grade
Villa Maria Academy
Immaculata, PA

Olivia Hardy
2nd Grade
Assumption B.V.M. School
West Grove, PA

Italia Fortebuono
3rd Grade
Loomis Elementary School
Broomall, PA

Samantha Dale
4th Grade
Mannington Township School
Mannington, NJ

Ariyah Davis
5th Grade
Major George S. Welch Elementary
Dover, DE.

Entries were received from students in Kindergarten thru 5th grade from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. The Wilmington Blue Rocks would like to thank all those who entered and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Each entrant will be rewarded with 2 tickets to a Blue Rocks game in 2017 as a thank you for participating. The tickets will be mailed to the participating teachers by February.

The Blue Rocks will celebrate their 25th season in 2017 and have plenty of fun in store for their fan base. Season seats, mini plans and group packages for the upcoming campaign are on sale now. The team’s annual holiday packages are on sale now through December 22. For more information, please see the team’s website at BlueRocks.com.

 www.bluerocks.com

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dash to hold annual Call-A-Thon on November 29

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Nov. 15, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Dash’s annual Commemorative Brick “Call-A-Thon” will take place on Tuesday, November 29, from 4-6 p.m. Through this event, the Dash will raise money for the organization’s 2016 Charity Partner, Veterans Helping Veterans Heal (VHVH).

Throughout the Call-A-Thon, members of the Dash’s front office team and VHVH will sell engraved bricks that will be installed outside the main gates at BB&T Ballpark in advance of the 2017 season. These bricks can be personalized to honor family members or friends, memorialize a loved one or celebrate a special event.

From now until the end of the Call-A-Thon, the Dash are offering special pricing for these bricks. The first brick is just $125, and each additional brick is only $75 each. Normally, the cost of additional bricks is $100.

In addition to brick purchases, the Dash are accepting monetary donations for VHVH, which can support a veteran for a day with a $10 donation, a week with a $50 donation or a month with a $300 donation. Fans can purchase a brick or make a donation by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 at any point before the Call-A-Thon.

Full details on the Commemorative Brick Program are available here.

Proceeds for the 2016 Commemorative Brick program will go to Veterans Helping Veterans Heal, along with other Dash community outreach efforts. VHVH, a non-profit entity owned and managed by the North Carolina Housing Foundation (NCHF), operates a 24-bed extended-term housing program in Winston-Salem for veterans battling homelessness to ultimately transition into permanent housing and independence. This year, VHVH Works established a relationship with the Dash to supply food service staff at BB&T Ballpark. More information about the non-profit organization is available at vhvh.org.

Baseball returns to Winston-Salem on April 13, 2017, for the eighth season at BB&T Ballpark. A full schedule will be released soon, and season-ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Toys for Tots Drive to Begin November 1

FREDERICK, Md. -With the holiday season right around the corner, the Frederick Keys are partnering with Toys for Tots. For the fifth straight year, the team will assist the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by collecting new, unwrapped toys in November and December. These gifts are then given as Christmas presents to underprivileged children.

Nymeo Field collections begin on Tuesday, November 1. Fans who wish to make a donation can drop off toys from 9-5p.m Monday through Friday in the main office. Anyone who participates will receive a Keys hat and two tickets to a 2017 home game.

“Each year it’s amazing to watch how many members of the community come by the stadium to drop off toys for less fortunate kids,” said Keys Director of Marketing Bridget McCabe. “Since we started collecting, donations have been through the roof and we’re excited to continue that trend this holiday season.”

Over the last few years, Nymeo Field has been among the top Toys for Tots collection destinations in Frederick County. Since being approved as an official activity of the Marine Corps in 1995, Toys for Tots has distributed over 512 million toys to more than 237 million less fortunate children.

The Frederick Keys kickoff their 2017 season on Thursday, April 6 at Nymeo Field against the Carolina Mudcats. For ticket information and the latest offseason news, fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Local field wins makeover from Dash, Flow Chevrolet

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Sept. 13, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Dash and Flow Chevrolet have announced that Northwest Forsyth American Little League (NWFALL) has won the 2016 Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation program. Therefore, NWFALL’s field will receive a Major League makeover this fall.

The Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation contest, which ran throughout the month of July, invited area Little Leagues and softball leagues to submit videos to the Dash on social media to show why their field is in need and deserving of a makeover. NWFALL’s submission emerged victorious from a group of impressive finalists.

This marks NWFALL’s 52nd year of operation, and more than 400 players participated in spring activities in 2016. The little league added a Challenger Division for children with physical or mental challenges this season. NWFALL also hosts several district and state tournaments in baseball and softball.

“NWFALL is thrilled to be the recipient of the Diamond in the Rough renovation,” said Chris Swink, President of NWFALL. “The renovations and upgrades so generously provided by Flow Chevrolet and the Dash will have a big impact on all of our players. We want to thank both Flow Chevrolet and the Dash for their support of Little League Baseball in our community.”

The Flow Chevrolet Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation program will be transforming its third facility. Last year’s winner was Winston-Salem National Little League, while South Little League was the inaugural recipient in 2014. The program follows similar baseball and softball field renovation programs that exist in both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball.

For more information on the renovation program or the Dash, call (336) 714-2287.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Salem Red Sox, Feeding America Team Up for Food Drive

Fans urged to become someone’s superhero on Superhero Night

SALEM, Va. – The Salem Red Sox have announced a partnership with Feeding America of Southwest Virginia that includes a food drive to be held on Superhero Night, Saturday, May 23, when the Red Sox take on the Winston-Salem Dash.

Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to LewisGale Field when they arrive for the 6 p.m. contest. The Sox and Feeding America are encouraging fans to bring a box of macaroni and cheese (or other boxed pasta) to serve as a noisemaker during the game and then donate to Feeding America after the game.

Tickets for the game are available at salemsox.com. Fans who pre-purchase their tickets online not only will save $2 over the walk-up price, but will be able to donate $2 to Feeding America by using the promo code: FOOD.

About Feeding America: “Feeding America of Southwest Virginia has served the 26 counties and municipalities that make up Southwest Virginia for the last three decades. As the leader in hunger relief in this region, FASWVA distributes more than 20 million pounds of food annually to nearly 400 partner agency soup kitchens, rescue missions and food pantries.”

For more information on Feeding America of Southwest Virginia, visit https://www.faswva.org/. For more information on the food drive or the Salem Red Sox, visit salemsox.com or call 540-389-3333.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salem Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Salem Red Sox Make Record Donation to Susan G. Komen

Annual Pink in the Park weekend proceeds donated to charity

SALEM, Va. – The Salem Red Sox are pleased to announce that a record donation will be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as a result of the extremely successful Pink in the Park Weekend.

This year, the Red Sox will be donating $4,652.27 to the non-profit organization. This amount comes from two silent auctions: Saturday night’s pink jerseys and Sunday’s pink bats. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from pink paraphernalia that was sold at the park this past weekend was included.

This year’s donation is the largest the Salem Red Sox have made in the eight-year history of the Pink in the Park series. Over the previous seven years, the Red Sox have donated $21,000 to the organization.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salem Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Mudcats Present Strikeout Cancer Weekend

Online jersey auction to be held in support of local charities

carolinamudcats_2015-05-11

 

ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and member of the historic Carolina League, proudly present “Strikeout Cancer Weekend” at Five County Stadium. This special three day long event will take place May 15, 16 and 17 when the Mudcats play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

“Strikeout Cancer Weekend” is designed to raise awareness and help in the fight against cancer. It is also designed to help raise funds for local cancer fighting charities.

Mudcats players will wear specially designed jerseys for all three games in the series. Those game worn jerseys will then be made available to fans through a special online auction that will be launched on www.carolinamudcats.com.

All of the proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to local cancer fighting charities including the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the Vs. Cancer Foundation and Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure.

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund will be the official charity for Friday’s May 15 game in Zebulon at 7:00 p.m. Fans wishing to attend the game and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund can purchase specially priced tickets through the Mudcats front office. A portion of those ticket sales will be donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Contact Yogi Brewington or Aaron Freeman in the Mudcats front office for more information at (919) 269-2287.

Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. game with the Pelicans will benefit the Vs. Cancer Foundation. The Vs. Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving kids’ lives by empowering athletes and communities to fund lifesaving childhood cancer efforts.

The special weekend concludes on Sunday, May 17 with first pitch at 2:00 p.m. Sunday’s game will benefit Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure. The Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure foundation seeks to save lives by increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the life-saving value of early detection while providing education and information about cutting-edge research to reduce risk, detect, and treat prostate cancer.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Full season ticket packages, half season ticket packages, group tickets and the “Muddy Unreal Deal” plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 “Braves New World” season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are in their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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This article originally appeared on the official website of the Carolina Mudcats. Click here to view the original story.

9th Annual Swing for a Cure Slated for May 23rd

lynchburghillcats_2015-05-08

The Hillcats will have everyone wearing pink on Saturday, May 23rd with the 9th Annual “Swing For A Cure” Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Centra’s Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center! Proceeds from this event will benefit the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation.

General admission tickets for the 6:30pm game against the Frederick Keys will be $11, with a portion of each ticket being donated to the fight against cancer. Plus, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free pink t-shirt! All Hillcats players will don pink commemorative jerseys which will then be up for bid during a silent auction during the game.

It’s estimated that there will be over 230,000 reported new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2015 and as many as 1 in 800 women in Virginia alone, may be diagnosed each year. The Susan G. Komen Foundation was created in 1982 by Komen’s sister and has since raised $2.5 billion for research, treatments, and support for survivors.

The Hillcats would like to thank the following sponsors of the Swing For A Cure for their support and donations: Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center as the title sponsor; ABC 13; Allergy Partners of Lynchburg; Apple Ford of Lynchburg; Central Virginia Family Physicians; Central Virginia Imaging; Central Virginia Oral and Facial Surgery; Dr. Kim Combs; Flowers Baking Company; Heartland Lynchburg; Hedges Insurance; High Peak Sportswear; 105.5 KD Country; Lynchburg Gynecology; Medical Associates of Central Virginia; Pathology Consultants; Peery Family Dentistry; Physicians Treatment Center; Piedmont Community Health Plan; 97.9 FM The Planet; Robert Bass, MD | Peter Ploch, MD | Greg Alty, MD; WIQO/ESPN Radio; WJJS; and Women’s Health Services.

To purchase tickets to the “Swing For A Cure” Breast Cancer Awareness Night or any other game, fans can call the box office at (434) 528-1144 or go online. Ticket purchases can also be made in person at the Lynchburg City Stadium Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lynchburg Hillcats. Click here to view the original story.

May the Fourth Be With You Night

Local Make-A-Wish Foundation will grant a wish on May 4

carolinamudcats_2015-05-01

 

ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and member of the historic Carolina League, will host the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina as they grant a special wish on May the Fourth Be With You Night at Five County Stadium on Monday, May 4.

May the Fourth Be With You is a Star Wars themed night that will take place on Monday, May 4 when the Mudcats play the Frederick Keys in Zebulon at 7:00 p.m.

The Eastern North Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation will grant a special wish to a young child with a special ceremony scheduled to take place on the field on May 4 in conjunction with the special theme night. Additionally, the Mudcats will also make a donation to the Eastern North Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation with a check presentation before the game.

The Mudcats have also invited young fans, and their families, from the Eastern North Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation to participate in the May the Fourth Be With You festivities. Fans wearing a Star Wars themed costume to the game will have an opportunity to purchase $6.00 discounted tickets.

The Carolina Garrison, a local chapter of the 501st Legion (a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans) will also participate in Monday’s May the Fourth Be With You Night. The Carolina Garrison is the only official chapter of the 501st Legion in North and South Carolina.

May the Fourth Be With You is one of several special theme nights set to take place at Five County Stadium during the home stand. The home stand, which begins on Friday, May 1, also features NC State Day and Pro Wrestling Day on Sunday, May 3.

Former NFL and NC State Wolfpack star players Terrence and Torry Holt will be at Five County Stadium for NC State on May 3. The brothers will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and hold signups for their upcoming Holt Brothers Football Camp scheduled for June 27 in Raleigh.

Additionally, an appearance by Sgt. Slaughter is scheduled for Sunday, May 3 as part of Pro Wrestling Day.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 “Braves New World” season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Carolina Mudcats. Click here to view the original story.

Salem Red Sox to Honor Military Members With Trading Card Set

Fans encouraged to submit local Military members through June 26

SALEM, Va. – The Salem Red Sox are excited to announce that as part of the season-long Freedom Friday series, the team will honor local military members with a trading card set on Military Appreciation Day in August.

Starting with tonight’s contest, fans can submit a family member or friend from the Roanoke area that has served or is currently serving in any branch of the United States armed forces. Submissions will be accepted at the guest services booth on the concourse at LewisGale Field on the following Freedom Fridays: May 1, May 8, May 22, June 5, June 12, and June 26. Submissions need to include a photo and background information of the military member.

The submissions will then be sent to a selection committee and the final list of members that will be included in the trading card set will be announced in early July. The entire set will be given away on Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 29. In addition, those members selected will be honored with an on-field ceremony prior to the game.

Not all submissions to the Red Sox will be selected due to limited space in the trading card set. Any active, retired or deceased member of the military is eligible for submission and subsequent selection. Fans that are unable to attend the selected games, but would still like to submit a military member can do so by e-mailing military@salemsox.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salem Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Pelicans announce Military Appreciation Day

Team to auction custom camouflage jerseys, hold card set giveaway

myrtlebeachpelicans_2015-04-30

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (APRIL 30, 2015) – In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are pleased to announce Military Appreciation Day. The event, presented by Embrace Hospice, Hot Talk 99.5 FM, and Wave 104.1 FM, will take place on May 14 when the Pelicans host the Carolina Mudcats for a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Gates to the ballpark will open at 5:30 p.m. ET to accommodate fans for the numerous pregame festivities.

Pelicans players will wear custom-made camouflage jerseys for the game. The jerseys, reflecting the familiar design of military uniforms from the Vietnam War era, will be auctioned during the game. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 925.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates will also receive a card set featuring the photos and stories of 36 Grand Strand veterans and active military personnel. The uniformed men and women from those cards will be represented that night, either by being in attendance themselves, or by members of their family.

The night will also have pre-game festivities aplenty. The Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 925 will hand out 5,000 miniature American flags to fans at the gates and will also honor the Pelicans franchise as a Purple Heart supporter team. There will be a pre-game colors dedication, as well as a ceremony held around the Missing Man Table. The veterans being honored on the card set will be introduced individually before the first pitch, and to wrap up the pre-game ceremonies, a paratrooper will parachute into TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark while holding an American flag.

Embrace Hospice joined the Pelicans as a partner in 2014 with “Embrace a Veteran,” one of the most popular programs from that season, in which veterans were asked to stand up at every home game and be recognized. Saturdays became Embrace Veterans Saturdays, where select Grand Strand veterans were highlighted and honored, and their stories were told in person and on the video board. A veteran and Embrace Hospice employee threw out a first pitch at these games as well.

Katelyn Guild, Pelicans Director of Business Development, pursued the expansion of Military Appreciation events after a positive reception last season.

“The game of baseball has incredible roots connected with the U.S. military, and we are thrilled whenever we can grow and diversify the way that we honor our veterans-especially our local ones,” Guild said. “Embrace Hospice agrees, and they were excited to partner with us on this as well.”

For Embrace Hospice, the cause is an important one, but also a personal one.

“Many of us are veterans ourselves, so this has an extra special meaning to us and the many veterans we employ,” said Kevin McHugh, CEO of Embrace Hospice. “Our veterans are one of this country’s greatest accomplishments. What they have done for our freedom makes going to a ballgame an everyday thing for Americans. We hope the community joins us once again this year at Pelicans ballgames to say thank you and to ‘Embrace a Veteran’.”

In addition to the card set and year-long program, the Pelicans have dedicated an empty seat at the ballpark, located near the Clark and Addison Grille and Hops Heaven. The seats remains unoccupied in honor of lost prisoners of war (POW) and service members who are pronounced missing in action (MIA).

Information on Embrace Hospice will be available on the main concourse at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark for each Embrace Saturday all year long. The dates for the remaining Embrace Veterans Saturdays in 2015 are as follows: May 23; June 6, 13, 20; July 11, 25; August 8, 15, 29.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.